New Rail Strategy will 'Strengthen Economic and Social Ties Across the Island'

A new strategy setting out how rail improvements across the island of Ireland will be delivered was published last week by the Department of Transport and Department for Infrastructure, with backing from the European Investment Bank. The Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy outlines how to sequence priority recommendations from the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was launched following public consultation in July 2024.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and Ireland's Ministers for Transport have welcomed the publication, which sets out both short-term improvements and longer-term major projects for the rail network.

The strategy identifies a series of Early Interventions to be delivered over the coming years, including new track passing loops and platforms designed to boost the network's resilience and capacity. Work on these projects in Ireland will start next year for delivery by 2030.

Locally on the Belfast to Dublin line short term projects (within 5 Years) include work on two 'passing loups' at Mosney and Skerries to help increased trains on the line. A Portadown station 'spur' will future proof plans for the Portadown to Derry line. Eight new Enterprise trains are also on the way for the Dublin to Belfast service by 2030.

A proposal in the Rail Review document to have an electrified line from Belfast to Newry via Hillsborough and Banbridge isn't included in the latest priority document.

For the longer run, the strategy identifies Major Projects involving intercity electrification and significant capacity upgrades. These include adding track capacity on the busy Northern line north of Connolly station, electrification and line speed improvements on the Dublin-Belfast route, a reinstatement of the Portadown to Armagh line as well as reinstated Portadown to Derry route and a Lisburn to Antrim line serving Belfast International Airport.

Minister Kimmins said: "This is the next step in progressing the implementation of the All-island Rail Review. I believe the transformation of our rail network will help address regional imbalance and encourage a shift towards greater use of sustainable transport. This includes important projects including Portadown to Derry, Portadown to Armagh and Lisburn to Antrim. The publication of this Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy provides a way forward for connecting communities who have been without rail, particularly in the northwest, alongside increasing frequency and improving services for those along existing lines. This will help strengthen economic and social ties across the island."

Irish Government funding for the Early Interventions will be provided under the National Development Plan Transport Sectoral Implementation Plan for 2026 to 2030, which was published in November.

The strategy outlines the rail frequency, journey time and sustainability benefits that will be delivered by the various projects. The Department of Transport and the Department for Infrastructure will continue to work together to advance the projects and support their delivery in the public interest.

Welcoming the publication Sinn Féin's Transport spokesperson Cathal Boylan MLA said: "The publication of this strategy is further progress in outlining how departments across the island will best deliver the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review.

"Rail has an important part to play in improving connectivity across the island. The strategy will help build on the successes of Belfast's Grand Central Station and all-island travel such as the hourly train service between Belfast and Dublin."

Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive said, “Translink is grateful to both the Department for Infrastructure and the UK Department for Transport for their support and partnership, as well as to all stakeholders who have contributed to this important work

“These strategic schemes will be vital to realising a more modern, sustainable, and better-connected rail future for Northern Ireland, shaping a network that reflects the needs of today and the aspirations of tomorrow”.

SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA said the delivery of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review had the potential to transform public transport across the island.

“The SDLP drove the all-island rail review in government because we knew it had the potential to reconnect and transform our island. The publication of the prioritisation strategy marks an important step towards realising that ambition, though significant work remains. It is also deeply disappointing that Fermanagh continues to be excluded from these plans. No part of this island should be left out of an ‘all-island’ review."

Mr McNulty added “This progress must now be matched by delivery. Too often ambitious infrastructure strategies end up gathering dust, blamed on funding constraints or a lack of political will. Ministers must maintain momentum, work with the Irish Government and commit to turning these proposals into a rail reality. The opportunity to transform connectivity across this island must not be lost.”

Check out the Rail Prioritisation Strategy